Skogar, sandåsar och stigar med fantastisk mountainbike.
Hjulsjö
Västmanland
Björksjön gives you a mix of tough climbs, tricky trails and winding gravel roads that take you north towards the Nittälv area.
Here you will encounter both beautiful views, exciting cultural history and the memory of distinctive personalities such as the artist and cyclist Nils "Björnjägaren" Rundgren. The tour passes villages, mansions and old embankments with a classic Bergslag feel.
Your tour starts at the old school in Hjulsjö, which today is a lively meeting place for cyclists. There is parking, parking spaces, bike washing and changing facilities. You can rent a bike and during the summer Hjulsjö MTB's small café attracts energy for the trip. Don't miss out on a look at the beautiful chip-covered timber church right next door.
Björksjön is the village that gave the trail its name, and here a beautiful view of the lake and surroundings awaits. Once upon a time there was both a train stop on the line between Falun and Gothenburg and a cabin here. The village bears clear traces of the industrial history of Bergslagen.
The small, elevated village of Havsjön was home to artist Nils 'Björnjägaren' Rundgren. He lived a simple life, cycling around the country and selling wire objects, before becoming known in his old age for his art - often called 'Sweden's van Gogh'. His story sets a colorful tone for the place. Here you will encounter the toughest climb of the trail with gradients of up to 10 %. If you want to avoid the hill, you can instead make a detour down towards Nittälven. Otherwise, continue left into the forest, with Fulberget on your right.
Bredsjö is a classic ironworks community where iron was produced for almost 300 years. In the early 1900s, the ore was transported via a cable car from the mine in Ösjöberg. What remains are the grand mansions that remind us of the ironworks' heyday. Today, the village is best known for its blue cheese, Bredsjö Blå, which is considered one of Sweden's finest cheeses.
The final stretch runs along the remains of the Bredsjö-Degerfors Railway, opened in 1894. The railways in Bergslagen were crucial for transporting heavy iron from the ironworks to the ports. Today, the embankment is a peaceful cycle path that connects Bredsjö with Hjulsjö and on towards Pershyttan. Follow the embankment back towards Hjulsjö. Turn left onto the asphalt road towards Bredsjö, then right towards Grönälven and further along the gravel road. The last bit is on the main road before you reach Hjulsjö again.
The old school in Hjulsjö is a perfect starting point. There is parking, parking spaces, changing rooms and bike washing.
It is possible to travel by public transport to Hjulsjö, but for those who want to bring a bicycle, it is usually most convenient to travel by car.
Directions by bicycle
Directions by car
Directions by public transportation